“The old chapie got angry, and the girl sacked me because I was rude to papa and flippant about the most serious thing in the world––marriage. She couldn’t see the joke. Imagine, Phil, being married to a woman that couldn’t see a joke!
“That was the very nearest I ever got. And believe me–––!
“Now you, for instance; you’re different, you’re just made for married life; you’re young, big, handsome, mannerly, sober, sometimes diligent, ambitious. You don’t smoke much, you don’t swear––not all the time––and you can chop wood and brush your own boots. You–––”
But Jim got no further. A cushion, well aimed, stopped his flow of talk.
“All right, all right! We’ll say no more. Go and have your bath! You need it. Give your soul a touch o’ soap and water when you are at it.”
CHAPTER XV
Sol’s Matrimonial Mix-Up
For the few days following, the robbery and the rounding-up of the thieves were the talk of the district; but despite this, it was surprising how little The Vernock and District Advertiser had to say about it.